Twelve people, linked by Victoria Park, are explored over twelve months. Mona and Wolfie, an elderly married couple, are long-term home owners in Victoria Park and are the feature of both the first and last chapter. Ten others, and their interlaced lives, are explored across the timeline in their own chapters (months), with snippets of information occasionally making it’s way into other chapters.
I loved this book! Victoria Park is a breath of fresh air, especially during the current times. Reading of somewhat ‘ordinary’ goings on and interactions between people and neighbours in what I now think of as the ‘old normal’ is lovely. It’s definitely something I miss in real life, so a way to experience that feeling of normality is always welcome!
Gemma writes in a manner that’s really easy to read. Despite sometimes tackling some tough themes, like loneliness and illness, she provided enough emotion without making it too overwhelming! I loved the way she described her characters and it got me invested in each person, despite the somewhat fleeting acquaintance. This fleeting acquaintance had no negative impact on the story, however, and I enjoyed that aspect as it was different. Everything I wanted to know and more was packed in to a chapter.
London is fantastic for its vast array of people, from differing backgrounds and with different life experiences, coming together in one place. Victoria Park really showcases this in a really fantastic and original way. It was a unique angle and it was fascinating to think of such a simple common denominator, the park, bringing so many people together.
I loved each of the characters in different ways and the fact they were all joined, not just by their homes or their jobs, but also by other means such as relationships. I enjoyed the fact we learnt about them over the course of a year timeline. My favourite aspect of this timeline was learning small snippets about characters we’d already met. This would be done in passing through the current character or in some other way within their timeline.
Victoria Park is a beautiful, honest and, at times, heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend it!
I loved this book! Victoria Park is a breath of fresh air, especially during the current times. Reading of somewhat ‘ordinary’ goings on and interactions between people and neighbours in what I now think of as the ‘old normal’ is lovely. It’s definitely something I miss in real life, so a way to experience that feeling of normality is always welcome!
Gemma writes in a manner that’s really easy to read. Despite sometimes tackling some tough themes, like loneliness and illness, she provided enough emotion without making it too overwhelming! I loved the way she described her characters and it got me invested in each person, despite the somewhat fleeting acquaintance. This fleeting acquaintance had no negative impact on the story, however, and I enjoyed that aspect as it was different. Everything I wanted to know and more was packed in to a chapter.
London is fantastic for its vast array of people, from differing backgrounds and with different life experiences, coming together in one place. Victoria Park really showcases this in a really fantastic and original way. It was a unique angle and it was fascinating to think of such a simple common denominator, the park, bringing so many people together.
I loved each of the characters in different ways and the fact they were all joined, not just by their homes or their jobs, but also by other means such as relationships. I enjoyed the fact we learnt about them over the course of a year timeline. My favourite aspect of this timeline was learning small snippets about characters we’d already met. This would be done in passing through the current character or in some other way within their timeline.
Victoria Park is a beautiful, honest and, at times, heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend it!